Hello y'all!

Here we are, it's the last chapter of back in time. I was really happy to share this story with you, and thank you for the favorites and follows and reviews

I'm happy that you liked it! (even if you haven't said it)

None of the chapters have a title, but this one could be called "The 16th of May" (self-explanatory)

I'm not done with writting and translating, so there'll be many more Royai and FMA fics! (Her story through her hair is still in translation, and I got some chapters of Amestrian Chronicles that will be posted soon)

I hope you won't resent me for the last sentence, because there won't be any other chapter or sequel.

That being said, enjoy!

Before the Ishval civil War, the 16th of May was a day like any other one for Roy. Then the war started and in 1908 he was on the battlefield and burned thousands of innocents. In May 1909, when the Amestrian military staff decided that the land was sufficiently destroyed and rid of its people, ceasefire was decreed, and the armistice signed on the 16th of May. It was the end of the war. Since then, this day was another way for Roy Mustang to recall the horrors of his actions during the extermination. On this 16th of May 1914, sitting in the gallery for Stat alchemists, Roy felt even worse than the previous years.

He'd arrived two days earlier with the Eastern troops taking part in the parade for the dress rehearsal. As soon as he'd set a foot out of the train, a lump had seized his throat, and the unease he felt more around the 16th had begun to rage. Roy stayed at Hughes' and had managed to keep a brave face in front of Gracia and Elicia. Hughes couldn't be fooled, though, and he'd offered him to take his mind off things. With a whiskey and a pint of beer, they'd talked about the end of the Transformer case, and about Riza's return to the team. Roy had told him the last transmutation, but moreover, about all that had happened when he'd walked her back to her flat.

"On an impulse I took her in my arms. She'd just said she didn't know if she could remain indifferent now." He'd admitted, before taking a big gulp from his glass. "I waited all weekend for her to call, but she didn't, and next Monday she was back as usual, loyal to herself, as impassive as every day."

Since the day she's back to her adult self, they hadn't got any time to talk, between urgent files that had appeared, internal affairs they'd to deal with, and training for the parade every second day in the HQ courtyard. They were back to usual, Roy trying to slack off, Riza watching him close to check on his work. However, all these tricks couldn't stop Roy from thinking about their embrace in the desert streets of East City. How did Riza manage to put on her mask so easily after what she'd told him? Quite often during last weeks he'd wished for a moment in her company, for a glance that would tell him he hadn't dreamt her warmth between his arms that night she was back to normal.

"You're the one who knows Hawkeye well, not me." Maes had replied. "I think she's waiting for the moment where you'll be able to talk away from indiscreet people. If you want, we'll help you during the gala, Gracia and me. There must be some quiet places, even in Bradley's mansion, where people can get some fresh air."

Roy had tried to empty his mind from his dark thoughts when the State Alchemists squad had settled on South Avenue. During the review of the troops and the Fuhrer's speech at 1400 sharp, and while he marched to Central command, he'd focused his attention on the crowd who'd come to watch the soldiers, cadets, and officers. But now that he hadn't to care for his steps, where he looked at and how his arms swinged along his body, he thought again about Hughes' words. He shouldn't doubt Riza. She knew as well as him that they shouldn't show any of their feelings in their workplace. As long as they hadn't decided on the way they would live their feelings, they couldn't change anything in the way they behaved, in HQ and outside.

After her meeting with Grumman, she'd told him she would come to the gala with her grandfather. It had taken Roy some time to realize there was a reason behind that strange duo. However, when he'd seen his RSVP card with the mention 'unaccompanied', he couldn't help but feel disappointed. He hadn't got the time to speak with his adjutant's grandfather, who was taking care of all formalities for his troops' accommodation in Central. Several regiments from Eastern command center had been invited to the parade, and some of them hadn't trained to march for some time now.

The last time he'd been able to speak with Riza had been during the travel to Central, in the train with Eastern troops. They had had to stay professional and avoided all reference to the events that had happened a few weeks earlier. Since then, they'd been too busy with the parade rehearsal and could only see each other from afar. Most State alchemists weren't soldiers, so marching hadn't been the easiest task for them. General Basque Grand shouting at them didn't really help too. Wondering why he hadn't seen the Fullmetal familiar face amongst the alchemists, Roy had asked the Iron Blood alchemist about him.

"He's still a child, and the brass don't want the people to think that we send child-soldiers on the battlefield." The General had replied.

Still, you're ready to send him there if needed, Roy had thought. But his other thought had passed his lips.

"You didn't have his uniform size, did you?" He asked, smirking.

Grand had checked around for people who could have been listening.

"Actually, we do." He'd said with a knowing look. "The women's dress uniform can suit him perfectly."

For a few moments, as he had been laughing, Roy had forgotten how he missed Riza by his side. Then, General Grand had stopped laughing, and with his usual stern face, had called back the other alchemists for fifteen more minutes of marching around Central command yard.

Roy wanted all of this to be over as soon as possible, but marching faster than sound wasn't well-seen during a parade. Leaning against the back of his chair, he looked at regiments of cadets from all Military Academies of Amestris. All these young men and women wished to serve their country and protect their fellow citizens, but many would be sent on battlefields on South and West fronts, where most of them would lose the innocence they had.

They were parading in a military stance, in formation as he'd learned too, to the fanfare music that was playing many military marches that were a symbol of Amestrian composers' pride for centuries.

Ishval veterans followed cadet regiments. This battalion had been promised to the people of Central as one of the best entertainments of that parade, after the State alchemists, of course.

Since he'd walked in front of the Fuhrer's podium, Roy waited for Riza's arrival. She marched with some of her comrades from the sniper squad, and maybe being with people who'd lived the same things as her could help her go to the end of the avenue. Hughes was part of the regiment too, and Roy could easily imagine Gracia and Elicia's admiring eyes when he would walk in front of them.

The music changed and sounded more solemn than before. The veteran regiment arrived next to the VIP tribunes. Between all officers, among those who'd fought and been recognized for their fighting skills, their ability to command or their victims count, there was Riza. She wore a grave face, copying other officers in her line, carrying her rifle in her hands. However, because of the sun shining upon her blond hair half covered by her side cap, she appeared more beautiful to Roy. Women's dress uniform was more charming than the uniform she was wearing everyday. It was one of the few times where he could see her wearing a skirt and high heels shoes, even if the heels weren't too high, so her walk wasn't hindered.

Riza didn't look at him once, but he knew she had looked for threats around him, knew who was sitting beside him and where since the moment she'd begun to walk. Even when they weren't together, she cared for his protection.

May's sun wasn't usually that hot, and Roy could feel a bead of sweat running on his back because of the high temperature under the canopy of his stage. He stayed one hour more, waiting for the last regiment to pass and for Bradley to make his usual speech praising his soldiers' talent, his officers' efficiency and Amestris military's power. It was good propaganda for the people but wasn't well-welcomed by foreign diplomats.

There were only a few representatives from neighboring countries on the same podium, and Roy could see anger growing on their faces. Fuhrer Bradley wasn't doing anything to appease tension between Amestris and their nations, adding fuel instead of putting out conflicts. The gala in a few hours promised to be a bit heated. Maybe unwanted people wouldn't give him too much attention, Roy thought.

At last, the parade finished with the national anthem and all rose to sing with the military choir.

Roy walked away from the crowd of officers and alchemists who were gathering around him. The fame he'd got in Ishval weighted on his shoulders, and keeping a smile plastered on his face was tiring. Since he'd a few hours ahead of him and knowing that Riza would stay with Grumman, following him to his meetings, he told Hughes he would spend these hours in Madame Christmas' bar. His foster mother welcomed him, wondering about Elizabeth's absence.

"She's under my commanding officer's orders today," he replied. "I haven't spoken to her in days."

I would surprise many people to see Colonel Mustang's adjutant with Grumman, when they could expect to see her alone, or with her superior officer. Some could think it was a way for her to climb the ranks faster, even if Roy Mustang were ambitious enough to care about his subordinates' promotions as well as his own. However, the tie between Riza and Grumman wasn't the same people could imagine.

Roy chatted with Madame Christmas and helped her to prepare the bar for the evening. In his civvies, he swept the floor like he'd done a lot during his childhood. He warned Chris about a potential new informant in five years, when the Transformer would be released from prison. Chris glanced at him, a bit annoyed. She didn't need to be surprised anymore because of his initiatives. "At least I got a few years to prepare her place in my network. You owe me a lot, Roy-boy."

"I know it well, and I think my slate won't be cleaned before a few years." Roy smiled and resumed his sweeping.

The night had begun more than an hour ago, and Roy felt his jaw ache because of the fake smiles he'd given the high-ranked officers he'd met. They'd introduced their spouses, and he'd answered their questions with a charming smile when they asked why he was still single when their daughters were waiting for him. Roy replied with a wit and avoided telling them he only needed one woman beside him. A woman he couldn't marry. Bradley's mansion was huge. The main hall was wider than Eastern HQ's, and the ballroom matched it well. Big mirrors on the walls emphasized the vastness of the room and doubled the number of people who fitted inside.

Hughes was talking with Armstrong not far from Roy, Gracia's hand on his arm, and Roy envied him. He didn't need to hide his love, and his wife was lovely. Being surrounded by officers didn't seem to frighten her too much.

A sudden movement of the crowd near the main gate took his attention and he saw Riza enter the ballroom next to her grandfather, wearing a long dark blue dress that took his breath. His heat ran in a thrilling beat when he saw the smile she gave him with her red lips and tightened when he realized he couldn't speak freely with her like he wanted to. They were in a crowd who knew both of them well enough, and dancing together could raise some questions about their relationship. At Grumman's arm, Riza caught attention in a different way. Roy knew she didn't like to be under the lights, but that she'd accepted to be the General's companion tonight for them both. Riza and her grandfather were caught by some other Generals who seemed surprised to learn that the young woman who accompanied Grumman was a Lieutenant from his command center. She saluted them with her usual professionalism before relaxing a bit.

Roy approached the buffet. The table covered in vol-au-vent and appetizers was a display of the Fuhrer's wealth. He asked a waiter for two champagne glasses. Once he'd the drinks in his hands, he scanned the room, looking for his commanding officer and his subordinate - his dear subordinate. They were talking with General Hakuro, and he stiffened as he thought he had to salute him. Hakuro didn't like him, and it was mutual, even if Roy couldn't express his hostility as much as the commander of New Optain command center. He breathed in to get some courage and walked toward the three of them.

"I heard you've taken some days off, Lieutenant Hawkeye," Hakuro said. "I thought you didn't take them on a whim. Did something happen? You were in the middle of a case that dominated the headlines for months in East City, weren't you?"

Riza's shoulders tensed, her polite smile froze and one of her hands covered the other, clenched into a fist. Roy knew she hadn't well received the General's question. They looked at each other and without a word he told her he was coming. He travelled through the last groups that separated him from Riza and entered their small circle.

"General Grumman, I thought you would want to taste some of this sparkling wine," he said. "Lieutenant, I took a glass for you too. I hope you won't hold against me because of my initiative." He gave each of them a glass and received a thankful glance from Riza while she took her own.

"Thank you, sir, your initiative is quite welcome. It's good of you to take care of your subordinates." Riza's light tone set against her stance a few moments earlier. Roy's diversion had been well received. However, General Hakuro had none of it.

"Colonel Mustang, I'm quite surprised to see that you let your subordinate leave your team for days off in the middle of a case. Can you assure me that nothing happened to her?"

Hakuro wasn't giving in. Roy glanced at Grumman, who was looking at Hakuro with serious eyes. He didn't seem to enjoy the turn of the conversation.

"General Hakuro." Roy saluted him. "I can certify that Lieutenant Hawkeye's leaving didn't influence how we managed the investigation on the Transformer or any other case we were working on. The culprit is behind bars, and I don't regret letting the Lieutenant take well-deserved days off. I don't understand, though; why this sudden interest about my subordinates' absences? Could you enlighten me?" Roy hid the best he could the smirk that tried to bloom on his lips when the General looked at him, clearly offended.

"I was only wondering why you gave her more than two weeks off when you were working on an important case."

"I visited my grandfather," Riza said. "If you listen to intel traveling between East City and New Optain, you might have heard about it, as well as the rumor about the baby in Colonel Mustang's office during the same time."

Taken aback by his Lieutenant's sudden confidence while she replied to Hakuro, Roy glanced at her glass. The level of golden liquid hadn't reduced, but a light red mark signaled she'd at least dipped her lips in it. However, she'd just drawn attention to him. He twitched a brow as he exchanged a glance with her.

It was the first time they looked at each other for a long time since that Friday night, and Roy immediately forgot about Riza's low blow. She smiled lightly and averted her eyes. Roy felt warmth in his chest and hid his trouble with a glass he took from a tray carried by a waiter. He took a sip of wine, regaining his composure, knowing well that only Riza had seen that.

His distraction was cut short by Hakuro, who'd jumped on the opportunity to depreciate the boy who was a threat to his ambitions: taking command of East City HQ when Grumman would retire.

"I think you know the rules about welcoming minors and civilians in military buildings, Colonel, and I'm surprised you haven't respected them. Well, that wouldn't be the first time you play with the limits. I won't speak about your personal phone calls during work hours."

"I think you know as well as me, General, that there are some exceptions in this rule," Roy replied. "Welcoming a family member is allowed when there's no other solution to take care of them."

"A family member?" Hakuro looked unsettled.

Roy straightened his stance, gaining some superiority over the General. "Elizabeth is my cousin's daughter," he said.

He explained once more the story the team and him had invented to answer the questions they'd received daily about Mini-Riza. Hakuro had lost some of his haughtiness, and he was saved by his wife, who politely greeted the three officers. Roy had seen her a few times, but she seemed softer than her husband and he was always surprised to see how different they were.

"My dear," she began. "I just learned that the Fuhrer and his wife will begin to dance soon. We have to get ready too." She put her hand in the crook of his elbow and pulled him outside of their little circle. Roy could see the glance Hakuro gave her. It was full of gratitude and respect. She looked like a gentle woman, but she seemed to handle him perfectly, and Roy admired her for that. A few women were ready to love and support a man with a strong character.

He looked at Riza and saw in her eyes that same strength he loved so much. Grumman interrupted the flow of his thoughts. "It's time for us to go, Lieutenant," he said, smiling. "Colonel, if you're looking for a dancing partner, I think that General Armstrong will be perfect for you."

Roy stiffened. He didn't know if Grumman were joking, but he knew that without a partner, the Flame Alchemist would look like a loser to the people who admired him, as much to those who criticized him. But he wouldn't dance with General Armstrong, that would be too much. He glanced around, and saw the only female General of the country, in her dress uniform, talking to another General who dominated her by many inches. But his height didn't give him the same poise and presence that she had. She radiated an aura telling "Get out if you want to flirt with me."

Roy approached her, smiling. Was he suicidal? Maybe, but he knew that between lone people they could understand each other. "Your loyal subordinates aren't here, as I can see."

"Neither is yours," Armstrong replied drily. "She preferred the company of a man old enough to be her grandfather."

If only you knew how near you are from the truth.

"He's been faster than me after the Lieutenant returned. It's a shame we didn't get to see Briggs' troops at the parade. You could have impressed a lot with all the weapons you conceive."

"I was the only one invited, as the General commanding Briggs fortress. The honor was for Eastern troops this year. And you know as well as me that Miles would have stood out in such a celebration."

Roy nodded. Miles was only one quarter Ishbal, but he looked too much to the people slaughtered during the war they were celebrating tonight.

"The Fuhrer and his wife will begin to dance. What about you dancing with me, at least for this one?" He extended his hand to her, waiting for her answer. He knew well what she thought of him and his ambitions, and that she wouldn't be soft with him.

She sighed tiredly and put her hand in his opened palm. "If I can crush your feet, why not."

The First Couple began to dance in the middle of the room as the first notes rang. Many couples followed them, and Roy saw Maes and Gracia waltzing gracefully, and Riza and Grumman dancing along the music with surprising ease. Grumman still had a lot of resources even at his age. His waltz with Armstrong was a fight for the control of their duo. They were both perfect in technique, but each one wanted to lead the dance and prove their strength. Olivier didn't crush his foot, but this moment was as pleasant as diving in a mountain of late paperwork.

When the music stopped, he could see Grumman walking toward him with a smile under his grey mustache. "If you want to, I'll replace you," he offered.

"Of course, and I wish you good luck, sir." Roy replied. "If General Armstrong wants it, of course."

"That won't be the same balance," Armstrong said. She accepted Grumman's hand, and the old General added for Roy: "Lieutenant-Colonel Hughes took my partner, and his wife is alone for the next dance. Why don't you invite her?"

Roy smiled. He'd already seen Riza and Maes walking to the dance floor, and Gracia was looking at them, smiling. He'd no intention to leave his best friend's wife alone, but he felt like all of this was planned. He walked toward Gracia and invited her. "I haven't got the opportunity to ask you where Elicia is," he told her as they slid in rhythm on the slick floor."

"She's at a sleepover with her best friend," Gracia replied. "She was disappointed not to see you after the parade. But she found you were really handsome on your uniform when you were marching with the alchemists."

"I'll see her tomorrow, so she will be able to tell me herself."

A bit surprised, Roy saw Riza and Maes approaching them. At his friend's mischievous smile, he couldn't help but shake his head, blasé. Of course, his friend had an idea. Roy had told him how much he missed talking with Riza, so he was going to offer him the opportunity. Gracia smiled at him, and he knew she was in on the secret. Gratitude grew in him, and he made the silent promise not to forget the chance Maes was offering him.

During a short silence in the music, maybe composed for this occasion, Roy and Hughes exchanged their dancing partners.

When he received Riza between his arms, his right hand found its natural place on her waist and his left welcomed hers. Riza put her other hand on his shoulder. It was perfect. So simple and natural. He didn't fight the happy smile that bloomed on his lips, and Riza gave it back to him. He almost forgot the place and hugged her in his arms, like that day that seemed both too far and too near.

"East balcony has walls, and the curtains will hide us from people," Riza whispered. She had spoken in a low voice, and Roy thought he'd dreamt her words. But a light frown and a slight pressure on his shoulder made her message real.

"I'll bring you a drink, if you need something," he replied. They needed an excuse, something to leave the room without drawing attention to them. Roy had seen how some young women were looking at him, and he knew he had to divert them from him. For a moment he regretted Havoc wasn't there. He would have been happy to be surrounded by pretty girls, he thought, amused.

They spoke a few words, meaningless compared to what their eyes told to the other. Had the room been empty, the feeling would have been the same. It was the first time since what felt like an eternity that Roy could be so close to adult Riza, and he didn't know if he would be able to let her go.

But he did it eventually, reluctantly, when music stopped. Riza removed her hands from his shoulder and hand and stepped back, taking with her the warmth of her body. He felt tortured between his desire to embrace her and the secret they had to keep. Restraining himself, he stepped back too.

"Lieutenant, would you like to drink something? You danced several times, and I fear that heat will win over you." He'd never said so much nonsense. The room was stiflingly warm, but Riza's skin had been cool on his and he couldn't miss her shoulders shuddering.

"I'll wait for you outside, then. I think Gracia's out there too. I'll talk with her."

Roy needed all his willpower not to run after Riza when she walked away, and not to rush over the balcony once he'd got two glasses of fruit juice. Wine they got earlier was enough for tonight, and he wanted to be clear-headed, conscious of himself while they would speak, at last.

He went on the balcony, which was lit by a few lanterns, and found Riza, Maes and Gracia chatting together. They quieted down when he arrived, and Hughes gave him a mocking grin.

"You'd never told us your Lieutenant was conscious all along when we came to see you!"

"I didn't know it back then, and I waited to talk with Hawkeye to tell you."

"We wouldn't be surprised anyway, because Gracia got some doubts while taking care of her."

Roy glanced at Gracia, taken aback. She replied to his muted question, explaining what had bugged her in Mini-Riza's behavior. "She was too conscious of her own body and didn't move the same way another baby would have. She'd a strong will and wanted to do things by herself, she was perceptive about her surroundings, people, noises, and movements. You're used to seeing adults so it wasn't strange for you, but I saw Elicia at the same age, and I can tell you that Mini-Riza was an unordinary baby. And was sure of it when I asked her if she was still Riza, because she nodded."

Roy turned to Riza, intrigued. "But when the guys asked, you laughed!"

"They weren't doubtful enough to accept it was possible," Riza replied in a serene tone. "But Gracia knew that I wasn't behaving like another baby."

She fixed her eyes in his, and Roy lost himself in the amber light that shone in them. Maybe it was because of the lanterns, but maybe it was her feelings that appeared in them. So much had been reflected in their eyes and this time was no exception.

Roy stepped toward Riza, giving her the glass he'd destined to her, breaking the spell reluctantly. She accepted it with a smile. "You've taken your excuse seriously," she remarked.

"At least no one will say I don't take care of my subordinates," Roy replied in a -he hoped- nonchalant voice.

He felt a hand on his shoulder. "We'll leave you both," Maes said. "Don't worry, we'll stay close, so no one will eavesdrop. Don't forget you're in our dear Fuhrer's house," he added with a wink. After one last smile, Hughes and Gracia left the balcony, and Roy and Riza stayed alone.

Roy leant his elbows on the balustrade, back to the garden, and looked at the house, the sky, and Riza. She was waiting, sipping her drink, for him to speak. Words rushed in his mind, but he didn't know how to start. How would she receive his words? Would she accept his feelings despite their situation?

"Roy."

Riza's voice cut his train of thoughts. Finally, he turned fully to her, diving in her eyes. He'd never seen so much tenderness on her face, and his heartbeat ran faster.

"I love you."

She'd said it with such confidence, without hesitation. A smile appeared on her face, on the curve of her red lips. The few inches between them suddenly seemed too wide for him. He wanted to cross the distance, hug her and whisper many things in her ear. But he needed to listen to her first.

"I realized it when you told me about your dream to make this country better than it is. I realized back then that I wanted to be a part of your world, and that if I could help you, I would do it without hesitation, even if I was only your master's daughter. All these years I've loved you, without expecting anything from you but that you reach your goal." She stopped for a moment and took a step toward him. "I would like to know that I'll wait for you, that I'll keep supporting you, until our vision of this country becomes real. I'll watch over you until the end."

Roy stayed silent. He knew Riza would never keep her opinion for herself, but he'd never expected her to be so bold about that. A lump formed in his throat, and he fought against it, stepping toward Riza too.

"Riza… I love you."

She blinked briefly, and her eyes shone even more. They'd said what they'd only implied a few weeks ago, and suddenly their feelings were real, even if they'd always been there. Roy lifted his hand and placed it on her cheek. She shivered and leant her head against his palm. Roy smiled back at her.

"I realized it when I left your house for the last time. I kept these feelings for myself all that time, I wanted to tell you when I would see you again. Then I've been sent on the battlefield, and I decided I couldn't deserve you. I'd betrayed your trust, used this gift you'd given me to kill and not to protect. I had no right to love you, or at least to tell you. Since the day I asked you to keep my back, I trusted you to help me reach my goal. And if you wish it, I'll wait for you too. On the day I'll be at the top, on the day I'll settle in this mansion to replace the man who used those under his orders instead of protecting them, will you want to be beside me?"

Roy breathed in, gathering a bit of courage, augmented by Riza's brief nod.

"I know this day may be far, but do you feel strong enough to wait until then? To follow me and keep me on track?"

Riza strongly nodded this time. She crossed the distance between them and put her hands on his waist. They were a breath away from each other, and Roy slid his hand on Riza's hair, to the crook of her neck.

"I've waited nine years for this day, I'll wait nine more years, even more," she whispered. "But were you to wander away from your path one day and were I to have to put my gun on your head, promise me you'll remember today. Because I don't know if we'll get other moments like this one, away from any watching eye."

"Do you wish for more of them?"

Roy bent more over Riza. She smiled at him, and closed the last inches between them, joining her lips to his.

It was unexpected, surprising, and delicious. Roy tasted the sweetness on Riza's lips, the flavor of her fruit juice, of her lipstick, her skin's warmth and wetness. He was where he meant to be, he felt it in his entire being. His other hand slid on Riza's back, pulling her against him. Their embrace became deeper, more intense than the one they'd shared in East City, and less innocent too. If someone were to enter here, they were finished. During a mission they could pretend it was a cover, but during an official gala, their ranks, their careers, their goals were at stake.

But Roy trusted Maes to warn him if anything were to happen. That concern disappeared from his mind, and he could focus on Riza, her lips, her tongue, her hands on his back, the softness of her dress under his fingers, the sweet scent of her perfume, her breathing. Riza.

How could one be so lucky to be loved by such a woman? He'd betrayed her trust, used her secret for destructive purposes, burnt her back, and yet she was here, against him, and she'd told him 'I love you'. He'd thought he didn't deserve her, but she'd chosen him anyway.

He enjoyed each second of their kiss, before they parted, his forehead against hers, catching their breath.

"I wish we could have many more moments like this one," Riza whispered feebly. "But we're not free." She raised her hands to his chest, played with his aiguillette before diving into his eyes. "I thought a lot these past weeks. Lots of things have happened and I experienced more revelations than I expected. And I didn't expect one before I got changed into a baby."

"Your grandfather?"

She nodded. "But it's not the only one. I've thought about your projects."

Roy's breath caught in his throat for a fleeting moment. They hadn't spoken of what he'd told Mini-Riza. His desire to create a family. With Riza.

"We've got a lot to do before that, Roy. But when all will be finished, when we'll be free, when we'll have paid for our war crimes, then we'll be allowed to live this dreamt life." She smiled at him tenderly and swept back one strand of his hair that had fallen on his forehead.

"What if…" he began, his voice lacking confidence. "If the law changes? If it's amended so we can live what we want sooner than we expect it? What would you choose?"

Sadness shone in Riza's eyes and Roy's heart tightened.

"If the law changes, we'll live as we want to," she said. "But if we don't survive the consequences of our actions, if we're sentenced to death because of the innocents' deaths we have on our souls, I don't want to leave one more defenseless innocent behind us. I don't want us to leave an orphan after we die, because they don't deserve to live that. We do, but this child won't.

Roy closed his eyes before opening them and diving in Riza's. The emotion he could read in them was the same he felt deep down. No, they couldn't let a child, an innocent, live what many others had suffered because of them. He hugged her, letting his feelings out.

"So, we'll wait," he murmured. "We'll wait as long as needed, and if it's impossible, at least we would have lived beautiful things together."

Riza's hands slipped on the back of his uniform then gripped on the cloth while she nodded against his shoulder.

"We'll wait before we could do that," she whispered. "But for the rest, if the law changes before, we'll be free to do as we want, and it won't threaten our goals."

"I trust you not to let it happen. I trusted you with my back, and you know what you must do if I stray away from my path."

They stayed in a warm embrace, and Riza's calm breathing appeased Roy. They had a goal, they had their feelings, and they knew each other enough to know that even if they influenced the other, they wouldn't fight until one of them leaves. Riza was too precious to him, he couldn't allow himself to part with her to climb to the top. She was vital for him.

Eventually, they parted but Roy kept his hands on her shoulders, and she put a hand on his arm.

"I know how illegal these moments are under the laws of the military, but I want more. We'll keep working together as we already do, our professionalism. But if one day one of us can't stand the distance anymore, we'll flee away for a few hours, a few days."

Riza agreed with a soft smile. "We'll have to keep a low profile. I don't want us to be surprised because of a mistake. We should get back inside, I think some could wonder where the Hero of Ishval is," she said in a serious tone. She pulled away and walked to the door.

Hughes could wait one more minute, Roy decided on a whim.

"Riza…"

She turned to him, surprised by his begging voice. A few steps, and Roy was standing in front of her. He stroked her cheeks, diving one last time in her eyes, gathering some courage. "We probably won't get the opportunity before some time, so… do you want one last kiss?"

With a blink and a smile, she accepted. Roy swooped on her lips and she welcomed him with pleasure.

When they parted again, out of breath and reluctantly, Riza placed her thumb on his lips, erasing every trace of lipstick.

"I love you," she said one more time.

She stepped back and returned to the ballroom, leaving Roy alone with his thoughts and the memory of the gift of her lips on his.

"I love you," he breathed in a now-empty balcony.

For now, they were outlaws because of their feelings, but he made the promise that one day, when his first goal would be reached, Riza wouldn't walk behind him anymore. She would stand beside him. He didn't know how long it would take, what it could bring, but he was certain it would happen eventually.

He adjusted his uniform, his hair, and opened the door, walking back into the noise of conversations and music, the heat of people gathered in the same enclosed place, and the solitude one could feel in the middle of a crowd.

Hidden in the shadows of a corner of the room, Selim Bradley curved his lips into a wicked smile as he saw Roy Mustang coming back.